Racin' Shoes

[y5e06]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a particular driving shoe? Something reasonably priced perhaps.
I need a new pair, I hate my current ones. Its not like I can go down to the Shoe Warehouse and try them out.
I've had simpsons in the past, I liked the way they felt in the car OK. Basic. foot got hot (not a hot shoe, but a hot foot....). Sole peeled off.
I have Piloti's. they suck. like wearing steel toed boots in the car. Way too clunky and actually not comfortable around the pits, the hightops and tongue dig into my ankles.
I like the idea of a mid or hightop, ankles are protected better i the car when seated if there were a fire or something.

spill it

[edrock96GT]

Maybe not the cheapest but I am using Alpinestars. It looks like they don't make the model I am using, but the fit and comfort is excellent and I'm sure will be with their current lineup.

[GlennCMC70]

Love my Puma brand shoes.

[AllZWay]

I have had Simpson's and G-Force. The G-Force doesn't look much different than the Simpson's, but have lasted and felt better than the Simpsons. My Simpson's also had the sole seperate from the shoe.

[nasa-rm]

I wear my fancy Simpsons in cars like the Spec Miata or Boxster. These most of the time when I run CMC since theres lots of room.

https://shop.vans.com/wcsstore/Vans/images/products/D5IB8CA.JPG or http://shop2.vans.com/wcsstore/Vans/images/products/KWA9YUD1A.JPG or
http://shop2.vans.com/wcsstore/Vans/images/products/VHRAJ3D1A.JPG


Plus I don't bother taking them off between sessions.

[AI#97]

Piloti made some awesome driving shoes but sadly they are no longer in business. However, look on ebay for them. I bought a $229 pair of their best shoes for $57 shipped, new in box a couple months ago. Misty bought 4 or 5 pairs.

Also, go down to San Marcos and go into the Simpson store. they have close out stuff. I found a pair of Karting shoes for like $75 that were nearly 200. They all come apart eventually because the glues suck. They are supposed to not catch fire however if the damn sole isn't there because it fell off, what is the point? You can use the black 3M trim adhesive/contact adhesive/gorilla snot and it works great holding them together....just don't expect it not to burn.

Also, if you read the revised NASA rules, you can wear leather wingtips if you want. No requirement for nomex lining and leather dress shoes would work. I was baffled when someone showed this to me recently. Seat rules also got simplified too.

[ShadowBolt]

Here is a good deal. Maybe purchase cheap shoes and buy a new pair every year or two. I know the guy that owns this company and he is an ex-racer.

http://www.racerpartswholesale.com/category/CloseoutShoesandGloves

I'm getting a pair of shoes and gloves while I can at these prices.

JJ

[y5e06]

Thanks for the heads up JerryJ. I ordered a pair and some socks for less than I was expecting to spend. we'll see how they work out.

MD

[ShadowBolt]

Thanks for the heads up JerryJ. I ordered a pair and some socks for less than I was expecting to spend. we'll see how they work out.

MD

At those prices I don't see how you can go wrong.


JJ

[Rsmith350]

Remind me again which race suits are the lightweight ones, multilayer?

[BlueFirePony]

Remind me again which race suits are the lightweight ones, multilayer?

Multilayer are often heavier than single layer, but not always the case (I had a multilayer once that was lighter than Kyri's single layer). I used a multilayer 3.2A/5 suit for years before switching to a single layer 3.2A/1 suit and wore nomex (or similar) underwear with a 3.3/5 rating....much more comfortable and by adding an air gap actually gave (theoretically) better protection - the suit would give 6 or so seconds before burn, the nomex would give 9 or so and the air gap would give an additional - again theoretical - few seconds. Additionally, the multi-garment approach also gives the ability to shed the outer garment, without completely exposing the skin...no, I did not practice drop-tuck-roll-shed_firesuit. Though, nowadays you can find pretty decent prices on 3.2A.5 single layers suits so that may be the way to so (though I'd still recommend the nomex_+air gap) YMMV

[kbrewmr2]

single layer still requires Nomex undies right? So it's really a debate of if 3 thinner layers + no undies ends up cooler than 1 thicker layer + undies.

[Trublu]

http://www.motorsportretro.com/2013/02/f1-fire/